[ivantoar]

I want to buy a CD but too bad I can't find it in record stores in my city. So I have to buy a digital download.
 
Seems like I only have 2 choice of online store where I can buy it, iTunes and CD Baby. CD Baby offers MP3s encoded with Lame standard preset while I don't know about iTunes. In your opinion, where should I buy my music? Don't suggest me to torrent it because I can't find it

 
I'm avoiding buying a physical copy because it may take up to 40 days for the item to arrive.

 

[skamp]

iTunes (~256kbps VBR AAC) is better than LAME --preset standard (~192kbps VBR MP3). It is unlikely (however possible) that you will be able to tell the difference. Both should be transparent in most cases.

 

[ivantoar]

Thanks, I'll just go with higher bitrate then. I wish iTunes offer MP3 or loseless format files...

 

[RobBeer]

Just curious, what is the album you are looking for?

 

[ivantoar]

I'm looking for "Ravi" by Jazz Partout. Here's the link to album preview if you want to take a look http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jazzpartout
 
Anyway, are musics purchased in iTunes Store are DRM free? Will I be able to convert it to another format or copy it somewhere else?

 

[skamp]

Anyway, are musics purchased in iTunes Store are DRM free?

Yes.

Will I be able to convert it to another format or copy it somewhere else?

Converting lossy to lossy is not recommended. It's like making a photocopy of a photocopy, sound quality will degrade rapidly. You will, however, be able to copy the purchased files anywhere you want.

 

[ivantoar]

Quote:

Yes.
Converting lossy to lossy is not recommended. It's like making a photocopy of a photocopy, sound quality will degrade rapidly. You will, however, be able to copy the purchased files anywhere you want.

Glad to hear that iTunes is now DRM free. I'm aware of lossy to lossy compression, thanks mate

 

[RobBeer]

Personally, I'd go for the physical copy from CD Baby, even with shipping it is only around $23 and I think it will get to you a lot sooner than 40 days as they ship by air. I've used CD Baby for physical CDs in the past and they are good. I would always take the physical CD over a download if there was a choice.

 

[ivantoar]

Thanks for sharing your experience. What's the biggest letdown is the shipping cost is half the CD itself (or 7/10 of the full album download cost). I'd love to grab a physical copy but I don't think it will be worth it if I only buy 1 CD. I'll browse what else I'd like to buy, if there's nothing I'll just go with the MP3.

 

[RobBeer]

Well, the price for the same album on Amazon.co.uk is around £30 UK/$45 US, (although it is currently out of stock) and I've seen it on another site for around $23 + shipping, so I think CD Baby's price is very reasonable. Hopefully you'll find some other CDs.

 

[R_burke]

If you use CDBaby the artist get's a better share of the price than iTunes.